Castlevania Nocturne: A Sneak Peak

Sneak Peak: The Wandering Prophet

Richter noticed Emma's lifting mood after setting out again. He could have chalked it up to her having a filling meal from the farmhouse with her pain medicine, but he had the sense it was because she was finally smoothing things out with Alucard. She didn't engage with him much, keeping quiet and looking out on the river at the passing scenery, but she didn't seem as tense around him. Willing even to sit next to him on the boat.

And she was chatty, not necessarily with him, just all around more talkative. (Though a few times Alucard urged her to lower her voice since they were traveling discreetly.) Amalie's medicine truly did wonders.

"Let me get this straight. They ripped out your guts and they stuffed them in jars?" Richter questioned disgusted.

"Yes, but they kept the heart in because it held the person's being and intelligence. It was vital for their journey into the spirit world." Emma explained giddily. "According to ancient beliefs, the gods judged if the heart was worthy of eternal rest."

"Like a person's soul." remarked Annette.

"Exactly!" Emma snapped her fingers. "The heart is a soul. That's why it was left intact, and why we're after Sekhmet's mummy; to protect her earthly spirit from being exploited by Erzsebet. "Ooh! And you also know how they took out your brains?

"Emma, I don't think they need to know this." said Alucard.

"They take a sharp, red-hot poker, stick it up your nose, scramble it about,and then rip it all out through your nostrils!" Emma mimicked poking and stirring a long rod.

"Ouch, that's got to hurt." winced Richter.

"It's called mummification Richter; you'll be dead when they do this." Emma informed.

"For the record, if I get killed, don't put me down for mummification." Richter told Annette.

"Likewise." Annette agreed.